The Portland daily press., 1887-08-01
CONFEDERATE CAPT. ANDREWS.
He has Driven Slaves In Carolina,
Built Ships In Maine, and Seen Every
President but Garfield.

Worcester Spyl
How old do think he is? Oh, 65 years,
l guess"
mo; he Is 81 years old, weighs 16S pounds,
and has seen every President but Garfield,
who was assassinated before the old gentle
man could get to Washington"
The conversation took place in the Spy of
fee, which had just been favored by visit
from Capt. Robert W. Andrews of Sumter,
S. c. The ex-confederate had just shaken
hands all around and started briskly down
stairs with his faithful dog, Fido, at his
heels. May 7, 1886, he started from his home
in the Palmetto State for his fourth visit to
Boston, at which place he arrived Aug q,
1886. Since that time he has travelled extern
sively in New England, especially in Maine,
New Hampshire and Vermont, peddling a
brief but interesting biography and an ac-
count of his wanderngs. Two weeks ago he
left Boston for Lowell, whence he journeyed
TO Marlboro. He came from that place to
Worcester by stage yesterday, and came inn
mediately to the Spy office, which he we'll
remembered, for he was here three years
ago. Capt. Andrews is known all over the
country, for he has been nearly everywhere
except in California, and he is going to start
for the Golden Gate itself next January if
he gets rested by that time He intends to
start, even II he never lives to complete the
journey.
Capt Andrews is ready and interesting
talker, for his adventures have been as va
rled as those OF Mayne Reds heroes No
body can mistake the captain on meeting
him. A light felt hat, long linen buster,
sseersucker vest and dark trousers, constitute
rh MI 10 30 n
i'd face, and his beard. hardly more than iron
gray, prove that walking agrees with his
rugged constitution <ssu
Il never am so well as when ! -, Az
a rGaa ne s; said and In have ot had day Of
use but one medieinrsfo for Ihave fonnd t asy
asSa ..sd WIZ ctxe about everything"
when G + d.r<hfst journey to Boston in 1912,
S wneI horse and wagon up from the
During 4he second war with Eng
land, also, took wagon loaded with gold
and silver from New York to Boston. Four
United States officers went with me as es-
cort. The old blue laws were in force then,
and couldn't drive on Sunday. Afterwards
built ships down in Maine. then went to
sea, then to New York as teamster, then to
travelled through the West, South and East
very extensively, and have walked 10000
miles. first began to travel systematemat-
ically In that way. have served as
detective, horse-trader and hotel-keep-
of my twelve children are alive. One
son lives In Boston. During the civil
war was veterinary surgeon In General
Hampton's legion. and when Sherman was
going through Georgia / did some lively
work. l made bargain with a Georgia doc
tor TO team his. property to a place Of safety
at 500 a day in gold, stipulated that
should go where / liked, and the bargain
was made. l flanked Potter's division and
drove into cedar swamp, where horse never
went before. /! saved everything entrusted
prove OF the war so heartily as many of my
ncighbors, for had travelled In the North
and knew the people well. The Southern
people as rule, did not know them, and
they were angry enough with me to kill me.
had with Judge Moses, father of sx-Govern-
State prison."
do you know the sonP''
Certainly, called upon him in prison.
fellow till he took to drink"
Were you slave owner before the war? ?"
Yes, but l sold all had very soon after
the war began. for | thought knew how it
would come out. My conversation on that
able to my friends. They would have Jared
better If they had sold out as did. Slaves
were very valuable property till the war be-
g gSa, and people were unwilling to part with
well, as 1t was for the interest of the owners
to do 30. Otherwise they could not raise
slaves. A good many of the blacks were
trusted with too much in war times, and
most 81 the owners who confded valuable
property afterwards"
The story of Capt Andrews is incomplete
without special reference to the long-eared,
short-haired, bow-legged black, tan and
white dog that follows him as faithfully and
infallibly as shadow. Fido Is seven years
old and has been on the road four years.